GANDER, NFLD, September 11, 2002 (LSN.ca) – The Government of Canada is planning a first anniversary service for the 11 September tragedy, to be held in Gander, Newfoundland. However, the local Catholic and Anglican leaders whose territorial jurisdictions include Gander have not been invited or officially informed of the memorial.
In a September 6th letter to Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops reminded the government of the public uproar over the banning of religious representatives partaking in the initial remembrance ceremony. Pointedly, the CCCB tells the Heritage Minister that Most Reverend Martin Currie, Roman Catholic Bishop of Grand Falls, who is based in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, and Right Reverend Donald Young, Anglican Bishop of Central Newfoundland, who is based in Gander “would be prepared to assist in any way possible” with the anniversary service. “We hope and trust that the Government of Canada would not again overlook faith communities at moments of national sorrow and grief. The vast majority of Canadians indicate that for them their faith in God is important. Faith communities continue to express and shape the fundamental principles and values that are shared and cherished by most of the citizens of this country,” concludes the letter. In related news, Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s speech at the gathering today failed to mention God at all. However, in a short statement sent from the office of the Leader of the Opposition, Stephen Harper concluded, “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. May God be with them all on this painful anniversary.” See the full CCCB letter at: https://www.cccb.ca/english/fullpublice.asp?ID=110 See the Prime Minister’s speech: https://www.pm.gc.ca/default.asp?Language=E&Page=newsroom&Sub=speeches&Doc=sept11.20020911_e.htm